Gero-Ed Events at BPD Draw Standing Room Crowds

The Gero-Ed Center was delighted by the positive response from BSW educators who turned out in large numbers for the Center’s information sessions at the Association of Baccalaureate Program Directors’ (BPD) Annual Conference.. Standing room only crowds learned about the BEL and Cycle 2 CDI Programs, including how to apply.* Small funding consultation sessions with Gero-Ed staff were also well attended, illustrating the high level of interest in gerontology among BSW educators.

Gero-Ed Center staff was also pleased to speak to a number of social work admissions staff to garner information about the social work student recruitment process. This initial focus group meeting was a part of a new Center initiative to partner with admissions and career counseling staff to recruit students to coursework, placements, and careers in gerontological social work. The meeting attendees were eager to assist and provide creative ideas to be implemented beginning in 2009.

BPD also honored several leaders in gerontological social work education, including many associated with our projects. Former GeroRich Project Director and Cycle 1 CDI Mentor Harriet Cohen received the Significant Recent Scholarly Contributions in Social Work Education Award from the BPD board. Harriet Cohen, Joy Ernst, and Cheryl Waites, all GeroRich participants and CDI Mentors, were recognized as part of the first cohort of BSW faculty in the Hartford Faculty Scholars Program. BPD also honored Nancy Hooyman, Anita Rosen, and Cathy Tompkins for their gerontological leadership with BPD and BSW programs through the Gero-Ed Center and former CSWE projects SAGE-SW and GeroRich.

*There is still time to apply for the Cycle 2 CDI Program and the BEL Program, and Gero-Ed Center staff is still available to answer any questions you may have.